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Effect of the calcium to phosphorus ratio on the setting properties of calcium phosphate bone cements

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Abstract

α-Tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) has become the main reactant of most experimental and commercial ceramic bone cements. It has calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio of 1.50. The present study expands and reports on the microstructures and mechanical properties of calcium phosphate (CP) cements containing sintered monolithic reactants obtained in the interval 1.29 < Ca/P < 1.77. The study focuses on their cement setting and hardening properties as well as on their microstructure and crystal phase evolution. The results showed that: (a) CP-cements made with reactants with Ca/P ratio other than 1.50 have longer setting and lower hardening properties; (b) CP-cements reactivity was clearly affected by the Ca/P ratio of the starting reactant; (c) reactants with Ca/P < 1.50 were composed of several phases, calcium pyrophosphate and α- and β-TCP. Similarly, reactants with Ca/P > 1.50 were composed of α-TCP, tetracalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite; (d) only the reactant with Ca/P = 1.50 was monophasic and was made of α-TCP, which transformed during the setting into calcium deficient hydroxyapatite; (e) CP-cements developed different crystal microstructures with specific features depending on the Ca/P ratio of the starting reactant.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank funding through project MAT2010-19431 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain). Special thanks to Ms. Maria Odriozola for the English grammar corrections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdepartment Research Group for the Applied Scientific Collaboration (IRGASC), Division of Biomaterials & Bioengineering, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Avda. Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    M. D. Vlad, S. Gómez, M. Barracó, J. López & E. Fernández

  2. Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Kogalniceanu 9-13, 700454, Iasi, Romania

    M. D. Vlad

  3. Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Avda. Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    E. Fernández

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  1. M. D. Vlad
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Correspondence to E. Fernández.

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Vlad, M.D., Gómez, S., Barracó, M. et al. Effect of the calcium to phosphorus ratio on the setting properties of calcium phosphate bone cements. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 23, 2081–2090 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4686-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4686-3

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